Shock-absorber.



W. T. SEARS. SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FILED 00T.15, 191s.

l, l 23,404. Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15. 1913.

1 l 23,404. Patend Jan. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

[nvm-@fare UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

WILLARD '.l.- SEARS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOCK-ABSORBER.

Specicationof Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Application led October 15, 1913.-l Serial No. 795,225.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Beit known that I, WILLARD T. SEARS, a

citizen of they United States, residing atv as shock-absorbers, .one of the principal,

purposes of the invention being the provision of an appliance Vof this type which is effective inaction and by which variable resistance can be secured in a positive and certain manner. A shock-absorber involving the invention can be employed with utilityin divers connections; for instance it can-be incorporated in a vehicle such as an automobile, and in this event itis adapted frio to preclude undue or abnormal vibration of one of the members of the vehicle, such as the body.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown in detail several ofthe many different forms of embodimentl of the invention which to enable those skilled in the art to practice the same will be set forth fully in the following description. I do not restrict myself vte this disclosure; I may depart there! from in material respects within the scope of the invention definedby the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings: Figure 1-is a diagrammatic side elevation of a shockabsorber-involving my invention and showing the same mounted in place between the running-gear and the body of a vehicle partly illustrated. Fig. 2 is a Vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig.,1, looking in the direc tion of the arrow and on an enlarged scale. Fig.` 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of another form, and, Fig. 4 is a section onA the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. v

Like characters refer to like parts-in the several figures. l

My invention comprises as to one of its broader features a shock absorber provided with motion-resisting means .and with electrical means for varying the amount or intensity of the resistance. The shock absorber, the ,resisting means and the'electriealmeansallmay vary decidedly in nature.

The motion resisting means is adapted as its term implies, to resist motion of a mov able member, and where theshock-absorber comprises two relatively movable members as is the case with that shown in the drawings, the motion-resisting means -resists such relative motion. 'I again wish to make it clear that the motion-resisting means may be of any convenient kind, although one which is mechanical in type meets the necessary condition, and I might observe that I=have found a friction deviceas satisfactory in this particular respect. vIn like fashion the electrical means may vary, but of whatever form the same takes, it as a matter'of practice acts in conjunction with the motion resistant. I prefer, however, to employ in combination with the resistingmeans a magnet and when I do use the same it may be any one of several kinds; for example a solenoid, an electro-magnet or a-permanent magnet.

In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown a shock-absorber of familiar type with lwhich.

l, my improvements can advantageously cooperate. As will be concluded from what Ian automobile, one of the elementsv {as that numbered'Q)l has the upper end pivoted or otherwise connected as at 4. to the bodyvof the vehicle partially shown and denoted by 5, while the other (3) can be similarly united axle 7, thespring 8, and the spring clip 9 as at 6 to the running gear` of the vehicle, the

of which appear. The invention therefore,

as will be understood, does not reside in any particular type of vehicle nor any special form oi shock-absorber. The lower link or element 3 of the shock absorber is provided with a lateral stud or pin l0 constituting a suitable pivot, which as will be understood is situated at the upper end of said link 3 or the terminal opposite that to which the pivot 6 is connected. The lower terminal portion of the upper link has a hub or bearmg 11 to receive the pivot l0 which pro'- vides a simple way of connecting the two links .for relative motion. The.. pin '.16 erf;

tends centrally from Lthe disk-like head ,12 of the lower link, the upper link 2 being equipped with a substantially similar head 13 furnished with the hub or bearing 11 to which l have already referred.

The two heads or disks 12 and 13 present together a resisting device, the head being shown with annular beads or ribs 14, while the head or disk 13 is furnished with duplicateannular ribs or beads 15, the several beads being of frusto-V-form in cross secf tion and one setof beads being adapted to enter into the` spaces between the other set as shown in Fig. 2c By moving the beads 14 into the spaces between the beadsll in such manner that the walls of the two are brought into contact the relative oscillation of the parts 12 and 13 will be resisted and the greater the pressure of contact, the greater will be the resistance to such relative oscillation, so that the two heads 12 and 13 presenta convenient form of variable frictional checking-device. As will hereinafter appear the relative motion of the members 12 and 13 toward and from eachother is governed electrically. The head or disk 13 1s shown provided with an outwardly extending casin or housing 16 which receives the solenoid 1 the cylindrical or sleeve-like core 18 of which is rigidly fitted to the pivot 10 to constitute in eect a part of said pivot,

-said pivot' 10 having the nut 19 fittingagainst the washer 20 which in turn ytits against the solenoid core 18 to prevent accidental displacement of said core. Toprevent dust and other foreign matter getting l linto the casing or housing 6 the latter may be furnished with a removable screw cap 21. It will be clear thatwhen the solenoid 17 is energized it attracts its core 18 thereby applying through thefwasher 20 acting asa shoulder'or collar on the pivot 10,- a pull to the pivot 10 in such direction as to draw. the

annular beads 14; into the spaces between the annular beads l5. If the current applied to thesolenoid '17 be not great, the frictiona'l checking'edect of the members 12 and 13 will be correspondingly low. If the strength ner althouv h Y J c fgor of the'fcurrent be increased, the frictional checking effect willr be correspondingly i1- creased' andthe strength of the currenty 'may be varied ,from a comparatively small point' Ato `one of considerable intensity, although` the variation'is preferably gradual in order to secure vthe best effects Aoravoid unpleasant results.'v iThis'variation in strength of currentc'an'be obtained'ina'ny desirable manmatically example Aby lthe use of elec-A tricalresistance. n 1

The means from which the electro-motive l force is derived may be of any suitable charactor, the 'generator' (as a dynamo) 22 shown' Aitis preferably secured autoaisance Vductor 23 leads being Ycclnnected with one terminal rof the solenoid 17, while the conductor 211 extends from the'4 opposite terminal of said solenoid. -Fromnthe opposite' brush of the generator 22, the conductor 25 extends and is connectedv electrically with the'terminal 26 supported by but insulated from the projection 27 on the link 2, which projection 27 is adapted to traverse a longer lprojection'28 on the link 3 as the links 2 and 3 relatively open and close. On the lower portion of the arm 28 are the contacts 29, 3') and 31 insulated from said arm. rlhe contact 29 is connected with the intermediate contact 30 by the resistance 32, while the intermediate contact 30- is connected with the upper Contact 31 by the resistance 33. IThe upper portion of thearm 28 is provided with the contacts 34, 35 and 36, all insulated from said arm, the upper contact' 34 being connected with the intermediate contact 35 by the resistance 37, while the resistance 38 contacts the intermediate contact 35 with the lower contact 36, it being understood that the two series ofcontacts are on an arc struck from the axis of the v'pivot 10, and that the contact 26 also follows this same arc. 'lfhe contacts 29 and 34 are bridged by 4 -the conductor 39 to which the conductor 24 is electrically connected. W'hen the vehicle or other part with which the absorber is required, the contact 26 will ride upon the contact 31 thereby closing the circuit of the solenoid 17 and energizing the latter, the

I maximum amount of .resistance being in the -closed circuit at this time so that the strength of current applied to the solenoid is at the minimum. Should the two links as 3 be closed further or until such time as the contact member 26 engages the contact member 30, the resistance 33 will bev cut out of the circuit, but the resistance 32 will bey still therein, the current,V supplied tothe magnet being therefore correspondingly stronger. Should the links be furtlier closed or until' the contact member 26 vengages the contact member 29, all resistance will be cut out :of thecircuit, so that the maximum strength of current is supplied to the solenoid, by reason of which the latter exerts its maximum pull'on= the core 18 to secure the extreme frictional engaging effect between the Vparts 13 land '14 and consequently the greatest-checking eaect. vThe same results follow when the links'are opened. i

I 'have described in `detail one way by whichva'riability .of resistance can be obtained electrically, k:and this' regardless of the'speed of the vehicle.- It'willbe' evident 130 '53. When the walls of the wedge part 55Y "manana that Ican utilize the shock absorber in any connection where such a device is appropriate, but when used on a vehicle I provide means whereby the resistance can be varied through electrical means in accord` anceV with the speed of the vehicle. For eX- ample I may connect the dynamo or generator 22 by a belt 45 with the engine 46 or equivalent motorby which the car is driven and; the velocity of the dynamo will vary with. the speed of the car, so that naturally the. current generated is correspondinglyv varied. Both o'f these ways of getting the variation in current ,can be employed together or either of them can be used independently of the other, both :being effective. l

It will be clear therefore, that m invention comprises two elemental features, one an electrical control of a resistant, which latter term Iv use ih' distinction to the electrical resistance in connection with the circuit already described, and another magnetic means for operating the resistant. As I have already observed the magnet, when employed, maybe any one of several characters, a solenoid having been already set forth. I might employ a permanent magnet for this purpose with equally satisfactory results, but I have shown in Figs.A 3 and 4 and will now describe an electromagnet construction which is satisfactory. -In these two-views the numerals 50 and 51 represent the members of a. scissors shockabsorber provided with heads 52 and 53 pivotally connected together by a stud -54 extending from the head 52, the latter being provided with the annular projection or bead 55 of wedge form in cross section,

adapted to enter the correspondingly shapedr annular channel 56 in the coperating head and channel 56 engage each other there is a frictionalf resistance to the relative oscillation vof the two members 50 and 51,and this is varied in accordance'with the amount of engagement between the two parts as already more fully described in connection with the other form .of the device; in fact the only difference between the two forms of shock absorber if it can be considered a dilerence, is in the; multiplication lof they circular ribs and channels. The pivot stud 54 is equipped with a nut and washer de noted by 57 and 58 respectively lto hold the parts 50 and 51 in assembled relation. Upon the outer side of the head 52 are mounted the electromagnets 59 and 60. The 'cores of said magnets extend'through said `head 52,

their enlarged inner ends 61 being disposed in thc` space between said heads. The entire part 51 might be of some nonfmagnetizable material, such as brass or hosphorbronze or thehead 53 only coul be made of this material,by reason of which said head 53 will not itself be attracted when varying the intensity of said motion-resistmetrically opposite each other. While two of them are illustrated their number could vbe increased; in fact it is -conceivable that one only could'be employed. The magnets are both in the closed clrcuit 62 including the dynamo 63 connected as by a belt 64 to the fly wheel` 65, so that when the shockabsorber is mounted on a vehicle the dy,- namo 63 will be driven at aspeed propor" tional with the speed of the vehicle. Each of the magnets (59 and 60) is shown a's having two armatures, the armatures being carried by the head 53. The armatures for the magnet 59 are' denoted by 66 and 6'( respectively while those for the magnet are designated by 68 and 69 respectively. Vhen the shock-.absorber is in a neutral position as shown in Fig. 3 the cores of the respective magnets will be located approximately midway of their respective armatures. It will be assumed that the' elements 50 and 51 are being closed. Inthis event the armature l69 will be moved toward the axis of the core of the magnet 60, 'while the armature 66 is moved toward the axis of the .core of the magnet 59 and the closer the two armatures approach said axis or the lmagnetic fields, the" greater will be thel pull of said two magnets upon the armatures relatively movable members. I can also get the same results by variation in .speed of a dynamo already described.

In closing4 I, wish to make'it clear thatl the invention does not reside in. any particular details ofconstruction but in certain broad relations, as will be set forth in my claims.`

What I claim is: v Y

1. A shock-absorber' provided with motion-resisting means and with electrical means for varying vthe'intensity of said motion-resisting means.

2. A shock-absorber 'provided with motionresistingy means and, ywith electrical means governed by the shock-absorber, for

ing means.

3. A shock-absorber provided with fric'- tional motion resisting means, and electrical means for varying the amount of rlctioual resistance. i'

4t. A shock-absorber movable oppositely from a neutral position, provided with. motion-resisting means and with electrical means governedby the shock absorber for varying the intensity of said motionresisting means when the shock-absorber is at both sides of its neutral position.

A shock-absorber provided. with two relatively movable elements, a device for resisting therelative .movement of said mem bers, and electrical means for varying the resisting eifect of said device.

6. A shock-absorber provided with motion-resisting means, an electrically-operable 'device for actuating the motion-resisting means, an electric circuit including said electricallysoperable device, and means for cutting electrical resistances into and out of the circuit. y

7. A shock-absorber provided with mction resisting means, an electrically-operu able device foractuating the motion resisting means, an electric circuit including said electrically-operable device, and means operable by said relatively movable lelements', for automatically cutting electrical resistance into and out of the circuit, on the relative motion of said relatively movable elements v 8. A` shock absorber provided with two relatively movable elements having parts which co'aet to rictionally resist'the relative movement of said elements, an electrically operative device having an element connected with one of said members, and means for energizingfsaid electrically-operated device to canse saidrmember to be drawn into frictionaljengagenent. v

9. A shock absorber rovided with two pivotally-connected lin s `equipped With parts 'which coperate to -constitutea frictional resisting device, a solenoid supported at the point of connection of said relatively -movable elements, and a core for said solenoid Iconnected with one of said members.

.10. A shock-absorber provided with motion resisting means and with a magnet for 'operating said motion-resisting means. y

11. A shock absorber provided with frictional resisting means, and a magnet for operating said `frictional resisting means.

l2. A shock absorber provided with motion resisting means, a magnet for operating said motion-resisting means, and means for energizing the magnet and for varying the strength of current applied thereto.

13. A shock absorber provided with motion-resisting means and with a magnet for operating said motion-resisting means, and means for energizing the magnet and. for automatically varying the strength of cur rent supplied to said magnet.

14. A vehicle combined with a shock absorber thereon, said shock absorber being provided with motion-resisting means, and electrical means forvaryi'ng the intensity of the motion-resisting means in correspondence with the speed of the vehicle.l

l5. A shoclr absorber comprising a plurality of relatively movable elements, a magnetically controlled device for resisting the relative movement, and means controlled by the movement ofthe part to which the shock absorber is connected, for automatically varying the resisting power.

16. A shock absorber provided with mo tion resisting means, and with magnetic means for operating the resisting means, and means for automatically varying the strength of the magnetic means in different positions'oi2 the shock absorber.y

17. A vshock absorber provided with motion resisting means, and With magnetic means for operating said motion resisting means, and automatic means for increasing the strength of the magnetic means progressively as the shock absorber moves from its neutral to a shifted position and in progressively decreasing the strength of the magnetic means in approximately equal proportion as the shock absorber returns to said neutral position from said shifted position.

In testimony whereof l aliix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WlLLARD T. SEARS.

W'itnesses: f

DAVID T. NEVIN, FRANK L. HELLINGS. 

